Graduate Stories

PhD in Mathematics to Developer

Scott StirlingPreview: Scott Stirling

What job role have you secured?

I have secured a software development role at THG as part of their accelerator programme (graduate scheme).

How did you find your time on the bootcamp?

I had a great time at the bootcamp. It was wonderful to meet many new people who share a similar interest and passion for pursuing a new career.

What were you doing before the Bootcamp?

Prior to the bootcamp, I had just finished a PhD in mathematics in 2023 and was looking to change my career from academia to software engineering. I believed Northcoders would provide me with the skills I needed to make the jump.

What made you interested in moving into tech?

The reason I wished to pursue a career in tech/software engineering is that I wanted to leave behind my career in academia but still have a job where I could creatively solve problems and use the skills I had developed during my PhD.

What made you choose Northcoders?

I was looking to do a bootcamp as I had been struggling with the job hunt and wanted formal education to put on my CV. I saw Northcoders online and messaged some friends I knew in the industry, who had said good things about it. I then saw that the scholarships would allow me to learn for free, and it became a no-brainer for me.

What was the support from the mentors like on the course?

The support from Simon, Chris, Alex, and Neil on the course was excellent, and they always got back to me when I asked for help. I cannot speak highly enough of them.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about applying?

My advice to anyone doing the bootcamp would be to recognize that the course is at a breakneck pace and not to panic when you struggle with a topic. Take an extra hour to read about the topic you are stuck on, and don't be afraid to ask questions—everyone is there to learn. I often read the notes for the lecture the next day to make sure I could follow what was going on.